Diamond Grading or Value of a Diamond
The 4 C’s of Diamond grading!
The 4 C’s in Diamonds are a set of criteria that gemologists and jewellers use to assess the quality and value (Diamond grading) of a Diamond. These criteria provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating and comparing Diamonds. The 4 C’s stand for Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat Weight, and together they play a crucial role in determining the overall beauty, brilliance, and rarity of a Diamond. We discuss these below…
Carat
The weight of a Diamond is expressed in carats. One carat = 0.2 grams and on carat equals 100 points.
Diamond Clarity
All Diamonds have traces of their growth history. In gem-qualified Diamonds, this concerns minute internal and external characteristics, graded under Clarity.
Clarity Scale
The clarity scale reflects the size, number, location and visibility of the characteristics when examined with a loupe 10 X. The very best – and rearest – clarity is loupe clean. Most inclusions, however, are not visible to the naked eye. Diamonds that have no inclusions visible to the unaided eye are also of excellent.
Diamond Colour Grading
Most Diamonds are colourless to slightly yellowish. The colour grade is determined by comparison with a series of master-stones, the best grade being colourless (D, Exceptional White +).
Colour and Fluorescence
Diamonds can also occur in all sorts of colours, ranging from brownish to striking yellows, pink to purple, red and blue. These are called “fancy colours”. Certain Diamonds can react to “black light” with grades varying from nil-slight-medium to strong. Besides colour, the fluorescence of the Diamond is also graded.
Diamond Cut
Fire, brilliancy and scintillation of a diamond are largely determined by the proportions of various parts of the stone. Finish grade mainly evaluates the symmetry.
Proportions & Finish Grade
Diamond Shape
Diamonds can be cut in various shapes (e.g. square, pear or heart and others). The “round brilliant” is probably the best known shape.
